Patients improve care by giving back: 1/11

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Patients improve care by giving back

by Cindy Abole
Public Relations

MUSC hospital units and clinical areas now have a chance to improve patient care through a new grant program.
On Dec. 6, the medical center awarded 15 grants to hospital employees for their proposed projects and ideas that would positively impact care and meet MUSC's mission of education, patient care and research through the new Giving Back Program. The program was established in 2010 to manage gifts presented to the hospital by more than 800 patients and their families, according to Terry Wilson, Pastoral Care manager and chair of the Giving Back Program review committee.

The amount of funding awarded each year is based on the amount raised for the fund from the previous year.

The committee, which consisted of Wilson and hospital leaders, reviewed each application and ranked the top projects based on grant criteria and guidelines, funding, mission, timeline, impact/visibility and measurability.

A total of 43 applications competed for funding. In the end, 15 grant awards, totaling more than $24,000, were approved by the committee.

"This program exists because the grateful hearts of patients and their families inspired them to make gifts to the hospital. It's wonderful to see the creative ways that a program such as this can directly improve patient care," said Wilson.
Project ideas ranged from staff training to new equipment.

For example, clinical nurse manager Cynthia Dollason, R.N., who works at the MUSC Children's After Hours & Specialty Care clinic in North Charleston, requested funds to purchase a portable hand-held pulse oximeter unit for the clinic.

According to Dollason, the addition of a portable unit can provide fast and accurate pulse rate measurements and feedback for a toddler or newborn. With the advent of flu season, the device is valuable. It can provide more accurate respiratory readings and provide a more calming experience for the child. "This device will help make the difference," she said.

According to Wilson, the next call for Giving Back applications will occur later this spring, when the fund will award another $25,000 in grant projects.

Giving Back Grant Program Committee
Terry Wilson, chair, Pastoral Care and Interpreter Services; Glenn Richmond, Clinical Effectiveness; Becky Cherrington, R.N., Nurse Alliance chair; Nicole Bernier, Ambulatory Care; Hailey James, MUHA Administration; Jean Smith, Therapeutic and Professional Support Services; Kesha Graham, Medical Director's Office; Jennifer Fox, R.N., Clinical Effectiveness & Patient Safety; and Dave Soutter, Heart & Vascular Center Development

Friday, Jan. 11, 2013

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